WHO WE ARE
KAREN JOYCE LATNER
(11/22/1955 – 10/18/2011)
Karen was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, and a great friend to all those who knew her. She was born in the Bronx, New York on November 22, 1955, and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey. She resided with her husband, Felix, in Frankfurt, Germany, where she taught English to German students and had a private practice as a bodywork massage therapist. She originally came to Frankfurt in the early ‘70s, and after falling in love with the country she decided to live there.
Karen was a free spirit who was always looking to help other people. She straddled her two worlds—she enjoyed being with her family in the U.S., living in Frankfurt, and sharing as much as she could with her family and friends. One of her greatest joys was to share, prepare, and host meals. Two traits that characterize Karen were her desire to help those in need and to learn more about the world and what makes individuals tick. Initially, she got a degree in Social Work and worked as a social worker in Frankfurt. In the mid-80s after meeting Felix, she discovered her passion as a therapist, finding yet another way to help people. As one of her friends said: “nothing made Karen happier than when one of her patients had a breakthrough and came to a new understanding of themselves.”
After a short but courageous battle with lung cancer, Karen passed away on October 18, 2011. Although we miss her every day, we continue to celebrate her spirit and legacy. In her honor, we have created this organization to continue her life’s work of bringing joy and comfort to those around her.
Karen is survived by her husband, Felix Kramer, her mother, Dr. Selma Latner, her brother, Irwin Latner, her sister, Gail Latner-Birnbaum, nephews Benjamin and Maxwell Latner, niece Carly Latner, and numerous close relatives and friends in the U.S. and Germany.
Mission statement
Karen’s Day of Healing Fund was established in January 2012 by her family and friends to commemorate the life of Karen Joyce Latner. Karen was a beautiful person with many talents and strong spiritual connections. Above all, she was a healer who had a profound effect on everyone lucky enough to know her. Among her many gifts, she had the patience to listen, the energy to connect, the vision to see hidden meanings, the strength not to judge, the courage to be truthful and the power to heal. Karen died of lung cancer in 2011 at the age of 55.
Our mission is to continue Karen’s work by providing a healing experience to families in need. We do this through cooking, massage, music, yoga and other nourishment for the body and soul.
Thank you for your interest in Karen’s Day of Healing Fund! We hope to add more information soon, so be on the lookout for:
- Biographies and pictures of our volunteers and contributors
- Videos and testimonials with more detail about our mission and method
Founding
Karen’s Day of Healing Fund was founded by her brother, Irwin Latner, her sister-in-law, Alissa Latner, her sister, Gail Birnbaum, and her husband, Felix Kramer.